Negotiation Tips!
I’m away this week on a vacation (can you guess where?). But my flitting around the country is no reason you shouldn’t have a new post on exercising your negotiation chops.
Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that each afternoon I post a “Negotiation Tip o’ the Day!” Good advice in 140 characters or less to remind you of all those things you know you should do in conflict, but that can be hard to remember in the heat of battle.
I’ve collected some of my favorite tips, and those that have received the most attention from followers. Do you have a negotiation tip that helps you focus during conflict? Post it in the comments!
- It is totally, 100% OK to say, “I don’t know; I’ll have to think about that and get back to you.”
- Ask for more. Because you’re probably not asking for enough.
- When addressing conflict, give the other side a chance to save face. It’ll encourage their cooperation.
By Justin Bugsy Sailor via Flickr.com
- You can’t get it if you don’t ask for it. Mark up the contract: cross out what doesn’t work and add what you need.
- Listening is an incredible display of strength; practice makes you stronger.
- If they don’t do something they said they’d do, don’t let it slide. Say something or it will happen again.
- “Compromise” does not mean they get everything they want and you get the job, contract or gig.
- Big conversation coming up that you’re worried about? Practice with a friend to work the jitters out.
- Saying “No” to something means saying “Yes” to something else. What is it? Understand your “No” to stick with it.
- When someone does something nice or helps you say “Thank You.” Even if it’s in the midst of one helluva fight.
- Sometimes walking away is the right thing to do. But you won’t know if you don’t have a back up plan.
- The more information you’re willing to share when negotiations get though, the more people will trust you.
- Apologies can buy you a heck of a lot more than grudges can.
- The best negotiation style you can adopt is your own. Trying to be someone else won’t get you what you want.
- Rather than think the other side doesn’t care or doesn’t get it, figure out what their perspective is and why.
- Negotiating with someone you’ve never negotiated with? Ask around and see what they’re like; no point going in cold.
By George Chang via Flickr.com
- Negotiations are like Choose Your Own Adventure stories; what you choose to focus on determines the outcome.
- If they’re using percentages to argue their point, push to get at the underlying numbers. Context matters.
What are some of the things your struggle with the most in negotiation?
Good luck with all of your negotiations this week! I’ll be back next Thursday with advice on how to handle those negotiations that sneak up on you in the middle of a job, but are no less difficult than hammering out a contract.
Categories: The Rest
